Doomsday Cult : A Mother Sentenced to Life in Prison for Brutal Murder of Young Children
Lori Vallow Daybell, an Idaho mother involved in a doomsday cult, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her two youngest children and conspiring in the murder of her husband's former wife. Her trial sheds light on the dangers of extremist beliefs.
In a shocking case that has captivated the nation, Lori Vallow Daybell, an Idaho mother involved in a doomsday cult, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of her two youngest children, as well as conspiring in the murder of her husband's former wife. Lori Vallow Daybell, 50, was found guilty of first-degree murder and multiple conspiracy charges in May.
She is responsible for the deaths of her son Joshua JJ Vallow, seven, and daughter Tylee Ryan, 16. Their bodies were tragically found buried at her husband Chad Daybell's home in 2020. During the sentencing, Judge Steven Boyce expressed his disbelief at the unimaginable act committed by Vallow.
He stated, "The most unimaginable type of murder is to have a mother murdering her own children, and that's exactly what you did." Emotional testimony from the children's relatives was heard in court, emphasizing the loss of two bright lights in their lives.
Chad Daybell, Vallow's husband, is also facing murder charges in connection with the children's deaths, as well as the death of his former wife, Tammy Daybell. His trial is scheduled for early next year. Daybell, known for his apocalyptic novels loosely based on Mormon religious teachings, and Vallow are believed to have met through their shared involvement in a movement that promoted preparing for the end of the world.
The tragic events unfolded in late 2019 when Vallow relocated with her children to Rexburg, Idaho, near where Chad Daybell resided. Shortly after, Tammy Daybell, Chad's ex-wife, passed away. An autopsy later revealed that she died by asphyxiation. Concerned for JJ, the grandparents called the police, triggering a nationwide search for both JJ and Tylee, who had not been seen for weeks.
Throughout the trial, Vallow vehemently denied killing her children and claimed to have spoken to Jesus. She insisted that her children and Tammy Daybell were happy and busy in heaven, suggesting that no one was murdered in this case.
Vallow's attorney also argued that she was a misunderstood person who believed in love. In sentencing Vallow to three consecutive life terms without parole, Judge Boyce emphasized the severity of her crimes and her lack of remorse. He described her descent into a "bizarre religious rabbit hole" as a justification for the killings, which she had yet to emerge from.
As this disturbing case continues to unfold, the nation waits for Chad Daybell's trial, hoping for justice to be served for all the lives lost at the hands of this doomsday cult. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise when extreme beliefs become intertwined with violence.